The Cogswell Sessions: Recent Episodes
Flux Spectaculum
There’s magic in the casual conversation. The rhythm shared by two people as they dance between different topics is truly a thing of beauty. You can sense the essence of a person through an intimate exchange of information and ideas. This is an exhibition, both ambient and raw. These are our stories, our fossils – intimate sessions conveying our hearts and minds as they exist in this space and time – that will live on to entertain, enlighten, and inspire whoever is listening, for however long people are around to listen.
Brandon Courtney (@bcourtz) is out here playing monopoly with real cash! And he’s schooling you to the game. We sat down to discuss what inspired him to go all-in on his new real estate ventures, the art of a good buy, and a bevy of other helpful information for potential home buyers. You’ll definitely need a pen and pad for this one.
Operations associate Erik Alvarez is one of the most tranquil people I know. We sat to discuss his poem about life’s unpredictability, his keys to inner peace, and why he’s in no rush to settle down.
Creative and culinary savant Kyle Martindale (@cravekingnyc) is a man of many talents. He stopped by to discuss his passion for cooking, his trip to Japan during a typhoon, and much more.
A Cogswell party was in full effect when I sat with Emmanuel Oziegbe to discuss his poem Withdrawals, the rules of engagement in situationships, and what it means to have your cake and eat it too.
Animator and illustrator Anaiyah Luther (@anaiyahtatiana) has been drawing since she was able to hold a crayon. She talked to me about the exhilarating experience that was art school, how she became a professional in her field, and much more.
I got the opportunity to chat with visual artist Matt Bookhout (@embeelibro) about his adventures as a photographer starting with his early days in Upstate New York, our SUNY Oswego connection, and more
I caught up with educator, poet, and singer Tierra Beckles to discuss her untitled poem that I’ve affectionately come to know as DNA and why she briefly stepped away from poetry, the importance of learning from your family that came before you, and much more.
I sat with sports journalist Glassford Crossfield (@breakingtheglass_blog) to discuss why he can’t stand Lebron James, what drew him to journalism, the importance of discipline, and more.
I got the opportunity to sit down with photographer Stefan Liautaud (@livefrom631) to discuss his tour photography and some of his favorite live shows, social media expectations, lessons he learned while traveling, and much more.
Graphic designer and educator Brendell Caines stopped by to discuss her visual piece Amerikkka: Land of the Free, life after college, and what she learned about today’s youth while working as a substitute teacher.
Photographer and sneaker connoisseur Collin Clarke (@c3foto_) is one of the toughest critics I know. We sat down to discuss some of his “unpopular opinions” when it comes to music as well as his retirement from the kick game and much more.
Kiana St. Louis (@themajor.ki) is a woman who wears many hats, both literally and figuratively. Fresh off her recent knee surgery, I caught up with Brooklyn based author, public speaker, and podcaster to talk about her piece The Wanderer, her forthcoming book of poetry, and much more. Update: The Photograph was a good movie.
Author and educator Krystalina Padilla schooled me on a rite of passage in womanhood as we discuss her piece I Knew I Became a Woman When. We also discussed the challenges of being a teacher, reminisced to our high school days on separate ends of the cafeteria, and much more.
I sat with one of my oldest and closest friends to revisit a conversation we had earlier in the day about pride and ego.
Volume 1 was recorded over a 2-month period at the start of 2020. It features an array of artists, friends, and family discussing pieces they submitted to a 2017 magazine project that was shelved, and how they’ve evolved since.
This is the intro.